Question for sabreurs

[Mario_Pegrini]

As long as every fencer in our country is epeist, so i have no idea hiw much sabre fencing costs. I've heard such comment about two guys buying sabre gear : "Ohh, sabreurs, they must be millionaires"
So what about your expenses?
P.S. I know the prices, but it is interesting to me: how long sabre gear lasts for example - lame, or mask?

[Feltan]

I am sure there is variation, but as one who fences both I would say saber is more expensive. However, much of that expense is one-time or infrequent: for example, a separate mask for fencing electric saber is expensive, but you don't have to buy one very often. To hazard a guess, for every $100 you spend on epee electric equipment, you will spend $150 on saber.

Regards,
Feltan

[KD5MDK]

I would disagree, as, at least in my experience, epeeists pay for tips and blades much more than sabre fencers do. Thus, a body cord should last about as long, jackets, pants, glove about the same. A cheap mask is probably good for 2 years, a good one for 4. A cheap lame ought to last a year, up to probably 3 depending on how you sweat and the care you take of it. A good lame? I don't know, 3-5 years? None of my stuff has worn out yet. Blades are $25 for a prefectly good StM, while epeeists seem to spend at least $50 on theirs often, in addition to tips, screws, wires, etc.

I expect my annual expenditure on sabre will be about $150 a year, going down as things wear out less. I've spent $300 on things covered in lame material so far, and I expect them to last another year (mask, cuff) to 3 (lame). Add in one $25 blade. How much does an epeeist spend on blades and wires in that time period?

[_fence(1)]

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

I've spent $300 on things covered in lame material so far, and I expect them to last another year (mask, cuff) to 3 (lame). Add in one $25 blade. How much does an epeeist spend on blades and wires in that time period?

Which mask/lame did you get?

[fencerbill]

Sabre blades at $10-25 are certainly much cheaper than Epee or Foil blades. And you never have to rewire so that is a further saving of money/time.

[KD5MDK]

I bought a cheap mask from Physical Chess. It was about $80. The cuff was ~ $18, and my lame was a birthday present, it's from Allstar. $225 or thereabouts. I'm looking to buy an FIE mask sometime soon, more for the added protection than because mind is wearing out; the chin of the bib had the resistance get a little high recently, but I washed it and everything's back to normal.

[Coup de Grace]

I would guess that Sabre is less expensive than foil or epee, primarily because sabre blades don't have fussy tips and blade wiring to constantly fix or replace. Additionally sabre blades seem to be more durable.

If you can get better quality gear than the basic entry level stuff do it sooner than later. I made the mistake of buying an entry level sabre lame last year. It is quickly wearing out and I'm grow more concerned that it won't pass the equipment check at the next tournament.

[Feltan]

Well, I probably have to spend more on Saber Lames than I do on epee blades -- I just don't break that many. I'll grant you that saber blades are less expensive, but in my experience (and maybe mine alone) the cost of blades are not a driving factor.

Regards,
Feltan